People have probably told you not to lose hope, or to keep the faith. They mean well, but maybe the pragmatic side of your brain feels like there isn’t much worth hoping for.

A terminal diagnosis is pretty clear. A death is awfully final. The future looks bleak. You may wonder what anyone – including a chaplain – could say to make you feel better, and the answer may surprise you. No chaplain is going to try to candy-coat your situation and convince you there’s a silver lining. But if you feel like you’re at the bottom of a well, and you want someone to be there with you, it’s a good time to call a chaplain or another trusted counselor.